Tool kit



A. V. BOWEN Jan. 18, 1955 TOOL KIT Filed NOV. 8. 1950 FIG. 3.

/Z INVENTOR ALERT VERA/0N BUWEN Cuff ATTORNEYS United States Patenti-O TOOL KIT Albert Vernon Bowen, Old Greenwich, Conn. Application November 8, 1950, Serial No. 194,621 3 Claims. (Cl. 206-16) This invention relates to tool containers and more particularly to readily portable tool containers in which each individual tool is securely held.

A primary object of this invention is to provide a simple, compact, convenient, noiseless and inexpensive container for a set of tools such as those normally furnished with automobiles. One object is to hold the tools in readily accessible location but so as to give as little obstruction or interference as possible with other use of the space in the automobile. Another object is to provide a container that is easily portable and inherently balanced when carried in one hand. A further object is to provide a container wherein the tools are readily accessible and missing tools easily observed. A further object is to provide a container that will hold the tools firmly and separated against rattling. A further object is to provide a container that will protect the tools from rust. Other and further objects will become apparent during the cnirse of the following description and from the appended c aims.

Outstanding features of this invention are:

Substantial balance, achieved by the positioning of the tools in the container, for example, as shown in the drawing with the heaviest at the bottom and with the remaining tools distributed to balance the weight on opposite sides of the center line through the handle.

The effective strengthening of the container in use, by positioning particular tools so that they add rigidity and/ or carry part of the Weight.

The prevention of rattling with the tight molded construction and use of a somewhat cushioning material.

The protection against rust by holding the tools `enclosed and olf the floor of the automobile compartment.

Protection against loss by providing a tray Wherever the tools are used, into which each tool is most conveniently laid down on the proper place; and which calls attention to any tool which is not in place when the case is closed. This feature also has the advantage of encouraging the user to buy replacements only the genuine tools designed for the particular set-so that they will fit in the recesses provided-thus avoiding dissatisfaction and unfair criticism which may actually be due to substitution of cheap, unsatisfactory tools.

The invention accordingly consists in the simple and inexpensive construction, and in the arrangement of tools as exemplified in the structures shown in the drawings and as hereinafter described.

The principles of the invention will be more readily perceived in connection with the following detailed description of a specific illustrative embodiment and from the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a perspective View of a specific form of tool container embodying the principles of the present inven tion.

Figure 2 is a plan View showing the layout of the tools in the container of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the container taken along the line 3 3 shown in Figure 2.

In accordance with the present invention, the container can, for example, be made of molded paper pulp similar to the molding of egg crates and picnic plates, but advantageously strengthened with resin added to the pulp or to the molded article to give some bonding of the fibers. Alternatively it can be made of any of numerous other materials having suitable strength and cushioning properties to deaden any sound of rattling, or by combining a sound deadening material with one which gives the required strength, e. g., a steel screen having pulp owed over it to form a secure cushioning layer thereon.

Referring to Figure l, the container 10 is composed of bottom 12 and top 14. In each are corresponding cavities for the bumper jack 16, jack base 18, jack handle 20 and other assorted tools. Top 14 and bottom 12 are hinged along edge 22 by a fold in the pulp or a strip of muslin 23 molded therein with a fastener 24 on the opposite edge 26.

I ack handle 20 is placed near edge 26 and slots 28 and 30 are cut in the top and bottom respectively to form a carrying handle which derives its strength and rigidity from the jack handle so enclosed.

As shown in Figure 2, the jack 16, jack base 1S, jack handle Ztl and the other tools are arranged with due regard to their mass and form, so as to achieve substantial balance about handle slots 23 and 3l) when carrying the container.

These cavities are also arranged to so distribute the deeper ones (which make higher bulges on the outside) as to serve as supports for the tray when the container is opened and to permit the container to lie llat when placed on a tlat surface.

Additional cavities such as 32, Figures l and 2, can be provided advantageously for spare parts or other tools.

Referring to Figure 3, the jack base 18 and jack 16 are shown held securely by the molded bottom l2 and top ld against rattle and from damaging the container or adjacent objects.

The operation or" the hinge 23 and fastener 24 are illustrated in Figure 3.

The inside of bottom 12 and top 14 are advantageously coated with a rust preventive, e. g., paratiin or oil, with or Without additives, to protect against rusting of the tools; While the outside of the container is preferabl coated with varnish or other coating to reduce wear and weathering.

Various arrangements and applications of the invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and such arrangements and applications as fall within the spirit of the invention are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A tool container of molded libres strengthened with resin comprising, corresponding top and bottom portions hinged together along an edge thereof, a plurality of cavities disposed about said top and bottom members shaped to receive the desired tools, at least one of said cavities being disposed longitudinally in said container and extending substantially from end to end thereof and at least one of said cavities extending transversely of said con* tainer to provide reinforcing members for said container, a pair of registered slots cut in said top and bottom members adjacent the open edges thereof, at least one of said cavities being positioned between said slots and edges ot said container to form a reinforced handle portion for said container.

2. A tool kit comprising a container having molded pulp cavities shaped to hold a plurality of tools in an arrangement convenient for carriage and storage comprising, top and bottom sections hinged along one edge thereof, a plurality of complementary cavities in said sections respectively fitted to a variety of tools, a plurality of tools of varying sizes and shapes fitted in said cavities, at least one of said tools and cavity portions being positioned adjacent the edge of said sections,I registering slots cut in said sections adjacent said tool and cavity to form a handle thereabout, said cavity portions being disposed over the area of said container to receive the corresponding tools in Weight balanced relation relative to a perpendicular dropped from a central point of said handle slots.

3. in a tool carrying case for automobe tools such a bumper jack, jack handle and the like, a combination of, molded top and bottom sections hinged about an edge thereof, cavity portions of various depths and sizes disposed in said sections, a plurality of tools of varying sizes and shapes disposed in said cavities including said jack handle and the like, said jack handle and cavity therefor being positioned adjacent the unhinged edge of said sections, registering slots cut in said sections adjacent said jack handle and cavity to Vform a container carrying handle thereabout, and a plurality of additional smaller cavities shapedto receive spare parts and the like and disposed aboutsaid container sections in complementary position to said larger cavities to form supports therefor to cause said container to lie flat and eliminate rattling and upsetting of the tools therein.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 22,487 Carter May 30, 1944 4 Kelley July 6, 1869 Harper Feb. 16, 1892 Rink Sept. 25, 1917 Beck Apr. 16, 1918 Miles Ian. 1l, 1921 Thum May 10, 1927 Farnham Apr. 27, 1937 Koppelman Sept. 14, 1937 Price et al Oct. 8, 1940 Muros Sept. 24, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Dec. 15, 1920 

